Excerpt:

“How did you identify me?”

“Does it matter?”

She looked at him.

If looks could kill...

“You did all of this, tracked me down, and fucked me just to get to my br—my partner? Well, you’re too late.”

He caught her slip, but didn’t mention it. “What do you mean by ‘too late’?”

“You’ve had your fun, so fuck off.”

He grabbed her upper arms and earned a heated glare. “Tell me.”

“What do you think I mean, you bastard?” she shouted. “One of your murdering kind took care of the threat already.”

Her admission surprised him into releasing his hold on her arms. He sat back in silence while he tried to determine the truth of her claim. Had some other vampire already killed her partner? Or was she just trying to protect her brother? The tears that welled in her eyes, which she struggled to hold back, convinced him she told the truth.

“I’m not a murderer, and the Horde is not my kind. One of these days, I hope you’ll understand that not all vampires are alike. The crimes of one are not committed by all.”

He reached toward her. She flinched, a fearful move that struck like a machete to his heart.

“Don’t touch me.”

How could he convince her that he meant her no harm? Although she turned from him, he ignored her command and tenderly cupped her cheek, his thumb swiping away a lone tear that escaped her lashes.

“I’m not here to cause you pain.” He wasn’t here to harm her. He wanted to protect her. Without her partner, she was even more vulnerable to the Horde, and she didn’t even realize it.

To ensure her safety, however, he’d now have to do something he knew she would misunderstand. Nothing he said would change that.

She scoffed. “Just do what you came here to do then and leave.”

He brushed his thumb across her full lower lip and waited for her to look him in the eye. Then he leaned forward, pressed his lips to hers, and felt her stiffen. She didn’t turn away though, so he continued the chaste kiss. Another tear dropped from her lashes to slide down her cheek. Running the fingers of one hand through her hair, he held her head still while he laid a gentle trail of kisses along that cheek, her jaw, and downward.

Her whole body tensed. She knew what he planned. She wouldn’t understand why, would probably be furious, but he had no choice now. He had to do it. She wouldn’t allow him to follow her around without trying to kill him, and he couldn’t leave here without a way to keep track of her. The only solution was to taste her blood.

He licked the fragile flesh of her neck, felt the protest of her rapid pulse beneath his lips.

“Forgive me,” he whispered. His grip tightened on her hair.

“No!” She bucked against her bindings, against him. Her fight was futile.

Holding her head still, he sank his fangs into her neck. The taste of her blood filled his mouth, an elixir that called to his most primeval vampire nature. More than the coppery taste that humans can sense, her blood offered a savory buffet to his tongue.

He wanted more, a physical need that waged war against his conscience. He could smell her fear mixed with forced arousal, a typical human reaction to a vampire’s seductive bite. He sucked harder, once, twice, knowing that each pull would be a titillating tug on the most erogenous parts of her body. He confirmed her body’s reaction to his bite by brushing his free palm across one breast to find the nipple hard and pebbled beneath the fabric.

She whimpered. Her struggles weakened. His impulse to take more grew stronger but, after one more swallow, he forced himself to pull back. He lapped at the puncture wounds with his tongue, closing his eyes while he savored the salty flavor of her blood and skin.

Assured the tiny wounds were closed and would heal well, he released her hair and moved around behind her.

Her head fell forward. Her chest rose with each deep breath she took. Her heart raced, still healthy and whole.

He reached for her wrists and began to loosen the binds that held them in place. When they were lax enough for her to get free, he retrieved his leather jacket and went to the door. Opening it, he looked back and saw her yank her hands free. She whipped her face around to glare at him, both feet still secured with the phone cord to the chair. A fresh tear explored the unblemished curve of her cheek.

He wanted to explain, but knew she wasn’t ready to listen to anything he’d have to say, which was confirmed with her next words.

“Fuck you.”

It would only piss her off more, but he couldn’t prevent the devilish smile that curved his lips. “Don’t worry, my dear. You can do that again...soon.”

He pulled the door closed behind him, but that failed to stifle all of the curses she screamed at him as he left.